You do not have to remove the start/stop
button from the ignition lock when you leave
the vehicle. You should, however, always
take the key with you when leaving the ve-
hicle. As long as the key is in the vehicle:
•The vehicle can be started using the push-
button ignition switch.
•The electrically powered equipment can be
operated.
EMERGENCY ENGINE SHUT OFF
To shut off the engine in an emergency situ-
ation while driving, perform the following
procedure:
•Rapidly push the push-button ignition
switch 3 consecutive times in less than 1.5
seconds, or
•Push and hold the push-button ignition
switch for more than 2 seconds.
•Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
•Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake fluid, and windshield-washer
fluid as frequently as possible, or at least
whenever you refuel.
•Check that all windows and lights are
clean.
•Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Measure and check the tire
pressure for proper inflation.
•Check that all doors are closed.
•Position seat and adjust head restraints/
headrests.
•Adjust the inside and outside rear view
mirrors.
•Fasten your seat belt and ask all passen-
gers to do likewise.
•Check the operation of the warning lights
when the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position.
STARTING PROCEDURE WITH
THE KEY
0OFF position
1ACC position
2ON position
3START position
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission to position P (Park) by pressing the
button.
The transmission position indicator in the
vehicle information display shows
When the transmission is in position N
(Neutral), you can also start the engine
with the brake pedal depressed.
The starter is designed not to operate if the
shift lever is in any of the driving positions.
NPA1483
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE STARTING ENGINE
5-18Starting and driving
roll away There is a risk of an accident
and injury. Therefore, quickly move your
foot from the brake pedal to the accel-
erator pedal. Never leave the vehicle
when it is held by hill start assist.
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It
holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed your foot from the brake
pedal. This gives you enough time to move
your foot from the brake pedal to the accel-
erator pedal and depress it before the vehicle
begins to roll.
Hill start assist is not active if
•You are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient.
•On vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is in position N.
•The electric parking brake is applied.
•VDC is malfunctioning.
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
deicer through the key hole. If the lock be-
comes frozen, heat the key before inserting it
into the key hole, or use the INFINITI Intelli-
gent Key.
ANTIFREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C),
check the antifreeze to assure proper winter
protection. For additional information, see
"Engine cooling system" in the "8. Do-it-
yourself" section.
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during ex-
tremely cold weather conditions, the battery
fluid may freeze and damage the battery. To
maintain maximum efficiency, the battery
should be checked regularly. For details, see
"Battery" in the "8. Do-it-yourself" section of
this manual.
DRAINING OF ENGINE COOLANT
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
antifreeze, drain the cooling system, including
the engine block. Refill before operating the
vehicle. For details, see "Changing engine
coolant" in the "8. Do-it-yourself" section of
this manual.
TIRE EQUIPMENT
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide superior performance on dry
pavement. However, the performance of
these tires will be substantially reduced in
snowy and icy conditions. If you operate
your vehicle on snowy or icy roads,
INFINITI recommends the use of MUD &
SNOW or ALL SEASON TIRES on all four
wheels. It is recommended that you visit
an INFINITI retailer for the tire type, size,
speed rating and availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, stud- ded tires may be used. However, some
U.S. states and Canadian provinces pro-
hibit their use. Check local, state and pro-
vincial laws before installing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow tires.
3. Tire chains may be used if desired. Make sure they are the proper size for the tires
on your vehicle and are installed according
to the chain manufacturer’s instructions.
Use chain tensioners when recommended
by the tire chain manufacturer to ensure a
tight fit. Loose end links of the tire chains
must be secured or removed to prevent
the possibility of whipping action damage
to the fenders or underbody. In addition,
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-97
8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions.................8-2
Engine compartment check locations .........8-3
2.0L Gasoline engine ................ .8-3
Engine cooling system .................. .8-3
Checking engine coolant level ............8-4
Changing engine coolant ...............8-4
Engine oil .......................... .8-5
Checking engine oil level ...............8-5
Changing engine oil ................. .8-5
Changing engine oil filter ...............8-6
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ..........8-7
Brake fluid ......................... .8-7
Window washer fluid .................. .8-8
Battery ........................... .8-9
Accessing Vehicle battery ..............8-10
Maintenance free battery ..............8-10
Models with Idle Stop/Start System .......8-11
Battery replacement ................ .8-11
Reinitialisation procedure after battery
reconnection ..................... .8-12
Jump-starting .................... .8-12
Drive belt ......................... .8-12
Spark plugs ........................ .8-13
Air cleaner filter ..................... .8-13
Wiper blades ....................... .8-13Cleaning
........................ .8-13
Replacing front window wiper blades ......8-14
Replacing rear window wiper blade .......8-16
Brakes ........................... .8-17
Self-adjusting brakes ................ .8-17
Fuses ............................ .8-17
Before replacing a fuse ...............8-17
Engine compartment ................ .8-17
Passenger compartment ..............8-18
Intelligent Key battery replacement ........
.8-20
Checking
the battery ................ .8-20
Replacing the battery ............... .8-20
Lights ........................... .8-22
Exterior and interior lights ..............8-22
Replacement procedures ..............8-24
Wheels and tires ..................... .8-27
Tire Pressure ..................... .8-27
Tire inflation pressure ............... .8-29
Tire labeling ..................... .8-29
Types of tires ..................... .8-31
Tire chains ...................... .8-32
Tire wear and damage ............... .8-33
Tire rotation ..................... .8-34
Replacing wheels and tires .............8-34
Wheel balance .................... .8-35
2.0L GASOLINE ENGINE
1. Engine coolant reservoir (P.8-3)
2. Engine oil dipstick (P.8-5)
3. Engine oil filler cap (P.8-5)
4. Brake fluid reservoir (P.8-7)
5. Engine air cleaner filter (P.8-13)6. Battery (P.8-9)
7. Fuse box (P.8-17)
8. Window washer fluid reservoir (P.8-8)
WARNING
The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round,
antifreeze coolant solution. The antifreeze
solution contains rust and corrosion inhibi-
tors, therefore additional cooling system
additives are not necessary.
•Never remove the radiator or coolant
reservoir cap when the engine is hot.
Wait until the engine and radiator cool
down. Serious burns could be caused by
high-pressure fluid escaping from the
radiator. For additional information on
precautions, refer to "If your vehicle
overheats" in the "6. In case of emer-
gency" section
•The engine coolant reservoir tank is
equipped with a pressure type cap. To
prevent engine damage, use only a
genuine INFINITI pressure cap.
CAUTION
•Never use any cooling system additives
such as radiator sealer. Additives may
clog the cooling system and cause dam-
age to the engine, transmission and/or
cooling system.
NIC2833
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Do-it-yourself8-3
CAUTION
•Be sure to remove any old gasket mate-
rial remaining on the sealing surface of
the engine. Failure to do so could lead to
an oil leak and engine damage.
•The dipstick must be inserted in place to
prevent oil spillage from the dipstick
hole when filling the engine with oil.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean engine oil.
7. Screw on the oil filter until a slight resis- tance is felt, then tighten an additional
2/3 turn.
Engine oil filter tightening torque: 19 ft-lb,
25 N•m
8. Start the engine and check for leakage around the oil filter. Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10 minutes. Check the oil level. Add en-
gine oil if necessary. It is recommended that you visit an INFINITI
retailer if checking or replacement is required.
CAUTION
•Use only Shell DCT-M1 or equivalent.
Do not mix with other fluids.
•Using automatic transmission fluid
other than Shell DCT-M1 may cause de-
terioration in driveability and automatic
transmission durability, and may dam-
age the automatic transmission. Dam-
age caused by the use of fluids other
than as recommended is not covered by
the warranty.
WARNING
•Use only new fluid. Old, inferior, or con-
taminated fluid may damage the brake
systems. The use of improper fluids can
damage the brake system and affect the
vehicle's stopping ability.
•Clean the filler cap before removing.
•Brake fluid is poisonous and should be
stored carefully in marked containers
out of the reach of children.
CAUTION
•Do not spill the fluid on painted surfaces.
This will damage the paint. If fluid is
spilled, wash with water.
NDI1599
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID
(ATF) BRAKE FLUID
Do-it-yourself8-7
Propeller shaft(s):
Check for damage, looseness, and grease
leakage. (4WD/AWD).
Steering gear and linkage, axle and suspen-
sion parts, drive shaft boots:
Check for damage, looseness, and leakage of
oil or grease. Under severe driving conditions,
inspect more frequently
Tire rotation:
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km) according to the instructions un-
der "Tire rotation*" earlier in this section.
When rotating tires, check for damage and
uneven wear. Replace if necessary.
Transmission fluid/oil, differential oil,
transfer case oil:
Visually inspect for signs of leakage at speci-
fied intervals.To ensure smooth, trouble-free, safe and
economical driving, INFINITI provides two
maintenance schedules that may be used,
depending upon the conditions in which you
usually drive. These schedules contain both
distance and time intervals, up to 120,000
miles (192,000 km)/144 months. For most
people, the odometer reading will indicate
when service is needed. However, if you drive
very little, your vehicle should be serviced at
the regular time intervals shown in the sched-
ule.
After 120,000 miles (192,000 km)/144
months, continue maintenance at the same
mileage/time intervals.
ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE
ITEMS FOR SEVERE OPERATING
SYSTEMS
Additional maintenance items for severe op-
erating conditions; should be performed on
vehicles that are driven under especially de-
manding conditions. Additional maintenance
items should be performed if you primarily
operate your vehicle under the following con-
ditions:
•Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles in
normal temperatures or less than 10 miles
in freezing temperatures.
•Stop-and-go traffic in hot weather or low
speed driving for long distances.
•Driving in dusty conditions or on rough,
muddy or salt-spread roads.
•Towing a trailer, or using a camper or car-
top carrier.
OIL CHANGE MONITOR
This vehicle is equipped with oil change moni-
tor. It calculates engine oil and filter change
interval base on driving conditions. Driving in
severe conditions will shorten the engine oil
and filter change interval. When the Engine
Oil – Service Due Now warning appears in
the vehicle information display, the engine oil
and filter need to be replaced.
NOTE
For vehicles operated in Canada, both stan-
dard and severe maintenance items should
be performed at every interval.
MAINTENANCE SERVICE
MESSAGES
The maintenance service interval display in-
forms you of the next service due date.
NOTE
The maintenance service interval display
does not show any information on the engine
oil level.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Maintenance and Schedules9-7